Understanding and Responding to Health Literacy as a Social Determinant of Health

Don Nutbeam; Jane E. Lloyd

doi:10.1146/annurev-publhealth-090419-102529

journal article Open Access Apr 01, 2021

Understanding and Responding to Health Literacy as a Social Determinant of Health

Don Nutbeam

Jane E. Lloyd

Annual Review of Public Health Vol. 42 No. 1 pp. 159-173 · Annual Reviews

View at Publisher Save 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-090419-102529

Abstract

Evidence of a social gradient in health literacy has been found in all reported national population surveys. Health literacy is a midstream determinant of health but not a panacea for addressing health inequities created by the maldistribution of opportunity and resources. It is possible to optimize the contribution health literacy makes in mediating the causes and effects of established social determinants of health. Existing interventions demonstrate the feasibility of improving health literacy among higher-risk populations, but research remains underdeveloped and effects on health inequity are largely untested. Future health literacy intervention research should focus on ( a) improving the quality of health communication that reaches a diversity of populations, especially by improving frontline professional skills and support; ( b) enabling people to develop transferable skills in accessing, understanding, analyzing, and applying health information; and ( c) ensuring that priority is proportionate to need by reaching and engaging the population groups who are disproportionately affected by low health literacy.

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References

Details

Published: Apr 01, 2021
Vol/Issue: 42(1)
Pages: 159-173
License: View

Authors

D

Don Nutbeam

Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia;

J

Jane E. Lloyd

Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia;

Cite This Article

Don Nutbeam, Jane E. Lloyd (2021). Understanding and Responding to Health Literacy as a Social Determinant of Health. Annual Review of Public Health, 42(1), 159-173. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-090419-102529

Understanding and Responding to Health Literacy as a Social Determinant of Health

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